About oldtimecruiser

Following

oldtimecruiser's Past Cruises

January 2015 - Brilliance of the Seas to Caribbean - Western

The ship is just the right size, it is well maintained. The nightly shows were entertaining. The food was pretty good, the buffet plentiful and varied. However, cruising has changed over the years, and it has become a means to get somewhere, no longer the inclusive and special atmosphere it once was. Beds are no longer turned down, no chocolates on the pillow. No more toiletries except for soap and body wash. Extra charges for specialty restaurants, daily special drinks no longer exist, these are just some changes that one sees. All the little extras which made cruising special are gone.

January 2014 - Brilliance of the Seas to Caribbean - Western

The ship has been renovated, with many amenities added. Several optional restaurants, outdoor movies on the deck, are amongst the additions. However, many little touches are missing, which made cruising special are gone. Of course I didn't expect a chocolate on the pillow, but I certainly DID expect my bed to be turned down at night, and some toiletries in the room besides soap. Even the folded towel animals were only done twice during the cruise. Another point is that much of the musical entertainment, the violinists, the band, guitarist all perform in the centrum, and there is not much seating as is necessary. The casino is split half smoking, half non-smoking, but there were people who smoked all over and nothing was done about it. On the positive side, our waiters were wonderful, the food was great, especially the beef choices, the ship was clean, and we found the staff were very polite. We enjoyed the singer, the comedian and the juggler at night, but the musical review shows were just average. I would take this cruise again, as now I realize cruising is not like it used to be.